Which Steelers rookie will have the biggest impact in 2023?
Around this time last season, during the slow months of NFL news, there was a lot of speculation that two different Steelers rookies could be in contention for rookie of the year considerations.
The first, Kenny Pickett, was an obvious choice considering he was the only “pro ready” quarterback – and the only one selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft – who might see significant playing time. (That and quarterbacks generally win this award.)
The second was second round pick, WR George Pickens, who was considering a “draft steal” and sleeper pick to win a rookie award, despite the vast talent of receivers also taken in last year’s draft. Unfortunately, neither were last year’s Rooke of the Year recipient which went to Lions DE Aidan Hutchinson, with the offensive award going to Jets WR Garrett Wilson.
Oddly enough, even with three picks in the top fifty selections of this year’s NFL Draft, there isn’t the same amount of hype around the Steelers rookies. Yet, there are several reasons to believe Pittsburgh’s most recent draft class could make an impact for years to come.
However, who will have the biggest impact as a rookie in 2023? Let’s take a look at the top picks and discuss!
Broderick Jones
First and foremost, I believe the first four selections of this year’s draft will all have an opportunity to showcase their abilities early. Jones, the Steelers first round pick and 14th overall in the draft, is the early favorite to be a Week 1 starter.
However, he does face some competition. Dan Moore Jr., who has been the starting left tackle for the last two seasons, arrived at offseason workouts in fantastic shape. While Jones is a blue chip prospect, he is still a first-year pro who head coach Mike Tomlin will make earn his spot. (Tomlin isn’t keen on placing rookies as starters in initial depth charts.)
Jones should be the last of several missing pieces forged together over the last few years to shore up a haphazard offensive line, but he may have a larger learning curve with the unit as a whole – plus a second-year quarterback – which could make his impact appear minimal compared to others from this group.
Joey Porter Jr.
Will Porter Jr. start Week 1? That all depends on how the Steelers view the other cornerbacks, such as Patrick Peterson and Levi Wallace.
There’s a good chance Porter is seeing significant playing time by the end of the 2023 season, but this is another scenario where Mike Tomlin may choose playing a veteran over a newbie. Regardless, the Steelers need playmakers in the secondary and that’s why Porter was drafted.
Keeanu Benton
Nearly overlooked in a lot of Steelers circles due to the pedigree of the the Jones and Porter picks, Benton is another Big Ten addition to the Steelers roster at a position of need.
The Wisconsin product could see snaps from Week 1 on as a starting nose tackle, where the loss of Tyson Alualu two seasons ago proved to be a detriment to stopping the run and pressuring opposing quarterbacks. Prior to Alualu’s arrival, the Steelers relied on Javon Hargrave to split time as a nose tackle and defensive end who split time with the starters such as Cameron Heyward.
Hargrave was also the first Steelers rookie to start on defense in thirty years.
Benton projects to having a similar skillset along with a nasty streak. Look for him to jump right in next to Heyward and Ogunjobi as the season progresses.
Darnell Washington
TE3 is usually a spot that the Steelers keep from receiving a helmet on game days, however, Washington is such a large specimen and willing blocker, that he could be in more of the team’s plans than previous tight ends were.
With Pat Freiermuth entrenched as the starter and Zach Gentry returning for one more season, I’d assume Mike Tomlin limits Washington’s initial playing time unless he really surprises as a rookie.
Final Thoughts
Of the four rookies, my belief is Benton will have the largest impact as a rookie. Jones has the opportunity to play the most snaps, but as a rookie left tackle in the NFL he will have a larger learning curve against the league’s best pass rushers.
Similarly, Porter and Washington may not get on the field right away, which leaves Benton to start at nose tackle plus spell Heyward and Ogunjobi on occasion.
This should open up opportunities for Benton to get at quarterbacks, with opposing offensive lines focused on the other ends, or T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith.
I would expect Benton to aide the Steelers defensive front seven in stacking the deck with their pass rush and for the rookie to surprise with the most impactful 2023 season.
